“J & J, it’s always just five minutes away”. This sentiment has become a way of life for us seemingly out of place inhabitants of the Chinatown, Two Bridges area. On those Saturday, Friday, Thursday, and yes, Wednesday nights, the only place to procure the proper amount of Malt Liquor and a Newport loosey is that sketchy bodega on Catherine and Madison.
As you enter this corner store, you are embraced by the wonderfully diverse cliental supplied by the lack of gentrification in this lower lower east side. Not a visit has gone by without a slurred witticism from that friendly man who you can never quite figure out if he is in fact employed by the business. And never an outing void of those unwanted customers smoking their 75 cent Newport/Marlboro loosey, oblivious to any reprimand. This is assuming the door isn’t barricaded with snack racks, forcing you to purchase the necessities through a two door, bullet proof window; or the NYPD hasn’t set up a blockade of three patrol cars due to a six person brawl or at least a loitering/noise complaint. Rare occasions of course, but nonetheless, distinct possibilities.
The real pull for us broke college folk are the prices. Where in Manhattan can you find a 40oz. of Colt 45 for $2.50, a 24oz. tall can of OE, my personal favorite, for $.99 (not always in stock unfortunately), and for you Malt Liquor coinsurers, a six pack of 16oz. Crazy Stallion for $4.50? What is it that they say again…J & J, it really is always five minutes away.
